It wasn't so long ago that the Premiership had a number of top Israeli players. Now there is a chance that they could be left with none.
With the season kicking off tomorrow, national captain Yossi Benayoun is flying the flag, although there are rumours that he could be on the way out.
Idan Tal, Yaniv Katan, Ben Sahar and Tamir Cohen have come and gone without really hitting the heights, while Tal Ben Haim and Dekel Keinan are playing in the Championship.
But overall, Israel's top stars are punching their weight in Europe with a record 17 players in the 22-man squad for Wednesday's friendly against the Ivory Coast, plying their trade in Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Holland, Russia, Poland, Belgium, Cyprus and Greece. l One player looking to make his mark on the new season is Scott Shulton. He signed a one-year extension at Blue Square Premier side Braintree Town in July, but upon his return from the European Maccabi Games in Vienna – where he coached the successful GB Junior football team – Scott discovered that he would not earn a place in Braintree's starting XI.
Following discussions with manager Alan Devonshire, the former West Ham player, it was mutually agreed that he could leave so he has returned to Bishop's Stortford where he excelled in season 2009/10 – winning the club's Young Player of the Year award after scoring a hat-trick in the Herts Cup final.
Ahead of tomorrow's meeting with Colwyn Bay in the Conference North, Shulton said: "I was preparing to play against the likes of Luton Town in front of thousands of people but realistically, I want to be playing week in, week out. It was a pretty easy decision to make."
I've heard great things about young Scott who is also the School's Sports Coordinator for Maccabi GB. He organises all inter-schools sports competitions as well as taking PE sessions at Rosh Pinah, Moriah Jewish Day School and Clore Shalom. Scott said: "It's great to be involved in Jewish sport, seeing how youngsters go from PE lessons into competitions."
● The Peter Moss Memorial match, featuring FC Team and a Spurs XI, is fast approaching. There are still tickets available for the game, to be played at Gosling Sports Park Stadium on August 21.
● The Maccabi Ten Pin Bowling are looking for participants to take part in their Midweek League in Dunstable. Bowlers of all age and abilities are welcome. For details, contact Russ Snipper at rsnipps@hotmail.com.
